2011 law working to help teachers receive financial literacy training

(NASHVILLE, TN), May 22, 2012 — Young Tennesseans can now start learning how to balance a checkbook, develop a household budget and plan for future expenses the same place they learn many other valuable skills – in the classroom. The training is part of the Tennessee Financial Literacy Commission efforts to teach financial literacy at a young age.

The commission, which was created under legislation co-sponsored by Senator Doug Overbey (R-Maryville) to advance financial literacy education, is hosting a summit for teachers of elementary school students next month. At the summit, teachers will receive training on how to teach financial literacy skills to students and their parents. In exchange for attending the free event, the first 100 teachers who register and submit a summit survey will receive a FREE $50 Amazon gift card. Overbey also sponsored a law passed in 2006 establishing financial literacy education for high school students in Tennessee.

“Tennessee has one of the highest bankruptcy rates in the nation,” said Overbey. “The earlier we teach children how to manage money, the greater the chance is that they will stay on the right track. Over the long term, Tennessee should benefit from financial literacy education, but more importantly this will have a positive effect on the lives of these individual students and their families. I encourage local teachers to attend the conference.”

The commission is a non-profit organization administered by the Tennessee Treasury Department. The State Treasurer and Commissioners of Financial Institution and Education as well as six other Tennesseans from across the state sit on the board of the Commission.

“It is important that people begin developing good financial habits at a young age because those habits will substantially increase their quality of life throughout adulthood,” Treasurer David H. Lillard, Jr. said. “One of the best ways to reach children is through their elementary teachers. This summit will give elementary teachers guidance on how to make financial literacy part of their classroom curriculums. It will also offer the teachers opportunities to gain financial literacy that is applicable to their own lives.”

With topics being taught by financial literacy experts from across the state, the Teacher Summit will be full of timely and relevant topics. From consumer protection to banking and credit workshops, these relevant sessions will be covered by professionals from the Tennessee Attorney General’s office, Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions, Tennessee Treasury Department, and several partners from the Jump$tart Coalition.

The summit will be held from 8:15 a.m. until 4:15 p.m. on June 14 at the Legislative Plaza in Nashville. Free parking and lunch will be provided.

Participants will receive a certificate of completion from the University of Memphis and can earn continuing education credits as permitted by their school districts.